The situation: The government of Mali would like to encourage tourists to visit their capital city, Timbuktu. To this end, they are planning a campaign to promote the history of West Africa and to commemorate Mansa Musa who ruled Mali when it was one of the most impressive empires on earth.
As part of their overall plan they are developing products to sell in gift shops located near historical and cultural sites in Mali.
Your assignment: Design an item commemorating Mansa Musa for sale in Mali's gift shops. Mali is looking for items meeting these criteria:
Reflect the achievements of Mansa Musa in a positive light.
Educate tourists about the history of West Africa.
Are something tourists will want to purchase.
Suggested items: commemorative maps, posters, mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, books, artwork, games, trading cards, guide books, or screen savers. The current government of Mali hates board games, so do not design a board game.
You are not limited to the suggested items.
Along with your item you must design a three-fold advertising display to promote both sales of your item and to educate visitors about the history of West Africa.
Each product proposal must come with a 150 word written explanation that answers these three questions:
How does the item encourage people to think postively about Mansa Musa?
What does the item(s) tell tourists about the history of Mali?
Why would tourists want to buy the item?
You will have the chance to present your product to representatives of the government of Mali in a three minute presentation. Your presentation should convince the government of Mali that your poduct will educate visitors about the history of West Africa and be something they will want to buy.
Keep the following questions in mind as you work on your project. Your overall project should answer these questions:
How did West African communities change from small family groups to large empires? (Chapter 12)
How did trade in the West African empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhai change over time? (Chapter 13)
What changes did the arrival of Islam bring to West Africa? (Chapter 14)
How has West African culture contributed to the world's culture, in particular to the culture of the United States? (Chapter 15)
Projects and presentations are due on Thursday, December 20. You will have 30 minutes of class time to work together on this project Thursday, 11/29, Monday 12/3, Wednesday 12/5, Friday 12/7, Tuesday 12/11, Thursday 12/13 and Monday 12/17. The rest of your work must be done at home..
This is a 70% project with a single group grade based on the presentation, the final product and the advertising display. Grades will be based on the historical information presented, the overall quality of the presentation and the overall quality of the product/advertising display.
Commemorating Mansa Musa
As part of their overall plan they are developing products to sell in gift shops located near historical and cultural sites in Mali.
Your assignment: Design an item commemorating Mansa Musa for sale in Mali's gift shops. Mali is looking for items meeting these criteria:
Suggested items: commemorative maps, posters, mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, books, artwork, games, trading cards, guide books, or screen savers. The current government of Mali hates board games, so do not design a board game.
You are not limited to the suggested items.
Along with your item you must design a three-fold advertising display to promote both sales of your item and to educate visitors about the history of West Africa.
Each product proposal must come with a 150 word written explanation that answers these three questions:
You will have the chance to present your product to representatives of the government of Mali in a three minute presentation. Your presentation should convince the government of Mali that your poduct will educate visitors about the history of West Africa and be something they will want to buy.
Keep the following questions in mind as you work on your project. Your overall project should answer these questions:
How did West African communities change from small family groups to large empires? (Chapter 12)
How did trade in the West African empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhai change over time? (Chapter 13)
What changes did the arrival of Islam bring to West Africa? (Chapter 14)
How has West African culture contributed to the world's culture, in particular to the culture of the United States? (Chapter 15)
Projects and presentations are due on Thursday, December 20. You will have 30 minutes of class time to work together on this project Thursday, 11/29, Monday 12/3, Wednesday 12/5, Friday 12/7, Tuesday 12/11, Thursday 12/13 and Monday 12/17. The rest of your work must be done at home..
This is a 70% project with a single group grade based on the presentation, the final product and the advertising display. Grades will be based on the historical information presented, the overall quality of the presentation and the overall quality of the product/advertising display.